“But a time is coming and is already here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit [from the heart, the inner self] and in truth; for the Father seeks such people to be His worshipers.” [John 4:23. AMP]
Have you discovered worship? To me, it’s different than praise and both are critical in our relationship with the Lord, and acts we all should engage in. I believe that both lead us and provide a means for us to be together with the Lord and a way that we can show just how much we love the Triune God and how important they are. Both lead us into the presence of God. While there is corporate worship or praise… individual communication between you and the Father in individual worship and praise is indescribably important.
“Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.” [Romans 12: 1, AMP]
[Have you noticed, in Paul’s writings, that he rarely makes a suggestion… he always is telling us what we need to do. Point: do we listen and then act?] You did see the phrase – ‘holy and well-pleasing to God’ – yes? Personally, I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than to be found holy and well-pleasing.
These verses continue and say:
“And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. [v, 2]
The ‘not’ is what captured me. It is something I do, that I can do or I wouldn’t be asked to do it. Did you ever think that you are infused with power to overcome? That YOU really can do what’s being asked of you? Granted you don’t do it alone or you’ll come out of this battle battered and bruised. We have One who is always with us, who understand, who will help us find our way out of every morass or attack that we find ourselves in. BUT, that we can move, grow, become – we aren’t damned to be a victim.
I believe in an exchange theory. We exchange who we were for who we are and are becoming. So, in this instance, when we stand against ‘not’ we are also doing something in place of the not – the ‘but be’. Again, something we do, we CAN do but not alone. The One who is always with us helps us to ‘but be’ – in this case, transformed and progressively changed. Change is not something to be feared nor take flight from. Because we know Who is helping us change and that it is a process to help us become – this is a stance of a conqueror. We even discover the methodologies of this change, such as renewing our mind. Why renew our mind… so that we ‘may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you[.
No doubt. No worry. And worship is one way we find ourselves in tune with our Lord. Worship, in my definitions, stems from a heart of love. For me, it isn’t duty or obligation… it isn’t forced, it all comes from love. Worship is not separate from who we are and what we do in the day… it is the foundation from which we are and do our day. When our mindset is to be in constant worship of/to the God of the universe, to honor Him, to demonstrate our love for Him then we do live the blessed life.
